morris

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OK-FIRST! OKlahoma’s First-response Information Resource System using Telecommunications http://okfirst.ocs.ou.edu Dale Morris Program Coordinator for Public Safety Oklahoma Climate Survey University of Oklahoma Norman, OK

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What is OCS? A state agency established in 1980 located at the University of Oklahoma (Norman) and governed by the OU Board of Regents support structure for the State Climatologist (OCS Director) Legislative Mandate “Acquire, archive, process, and disseminate, in the most cost-effective way possible, all climate and weather information that is or could be of value to policy and decision makers in the state.”   

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Historical Basis 1964: U.S. Weather Bureau Report: informed decisions on the part of users of weather information are needed if such information is to be translated into beneficial action research in improving the link between meteorological service and the users of weather information was markedly deficient several major user groups received little or no attention from the meteorological community 1980: National Research Council Report: many potential users of NWS data products unaware of information available.

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Historical Basis of OK-FIRST Flood Tornado

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What’s the Problem? Local, public-safety agencies have been ill-equipped with current and easy-to-access weather information for years. Information-based tools were not available at the community level. Dividends from the NWS modernization at the local level seemed destined to be limited. A state agency, such as OCS, could act as a “bridge” between the local community and the NWS. many local offices relied solely on television broadcasts.  some annual budgets ~ $1,000. 

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The Oklahoma Solution 1995: NEXRAD Redistribution Opportunity 1990s: Explosion of the Internet & OneNet. 1996: $550,000 TIIAP/TOP grant. 1999 and beyond: $250,000 annually from Oklahoma Legislature through DPS.

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What is OK-FIRST? Provides access to customized environmental information and products: Oklahoma Mesonet NEXRAD (~20 products from 15 radars + mosaics) National Weather Service text and graphic products   

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OK-FIRST Decision-Support System Information organized by type of data as well as by type of weather threat. “Two-screen mode” allows for product comparisons and to monitor multiple threats simultaneously.

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NIDS Data Available via OK-FIRST

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Current OK-FIRST and ONALERT Communities Fire Departments Emergency Mgmt. Law Enforcement Other Fire Departments & Emer. Mgmt. Law Enforcement & Emer. Mgmt. November 2001

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Customer Feedback I used the OK-FIRST system [NIDS and Mesonet] to estimate that 6 ½ inches of rain fell in southern Pittsburg County. I was able to use that information to call the county commissioners and warn them that a particular bridge might wash away two hours before the bridge was destroyed. The people here in McAlester and Pittsburg County are really sold on the system. -- Brent Young, Pittsburg County Emergency Management

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Customer Feedback I used OK-FIRST to forecast a significant wind shift during a large grass fire. From Oklahoma Mesonet data, I initially detected a wind shift ahead of an advancing cold front. NIDS data from the Oklahoma City radar, in clear-air mode, [also] clearly showed the wind shift line. I then projected a precise arrival time, and passed the information to the Incident Commander, giving him 45 minutes lead time. With the advance warning, the IC refueled, rewatered, and repositioned brush pumpers near structures at the southeast edge of the fire. When the sudden wind shift occurred, equipment was in position to protect two rural houses and several outbuildings. Had the wind shift occurred without warning, the response time to the new head of the fire would have been 5-10 minutes after the IC recognized the wind shift. The exposures on the southeast flank would certainly have been seriously threatened. -- John Lewis, Logan County Emergency Management

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Customer Feedback One spotter was assigned to a location west of Moore. As the storms moved in, our spotter coordinator decided -- due to her OK-FIRST display -- to move the spotter a couple of miles south. It was this spotter who gave us first knowledge of the large wall cloud that eventually spawned the tornado that destroyed/severely damaged a dozen homes and apartment buildings. The spotter’s call -- along with a warning from NWS Norman -- caused us to activate our warning system, and we provided our residents about 10 minutes of warning. There were NO injuries or fatalities from the storm. The spotter later told us (numerous times) that had the EOC not moved him, he would not have been in the proper location to see the wall cloud! This scenario is EXACTLY what OK-FIRST was designed to do! It certainly worked here!!! -- Gayland Kitch, City of Moore Emergency Management

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The May 3, 1999 Tornado Outbreak: OK-FIRST and Local Emergency Response C. Duvall/Okla. Climate Survey Public Works Department/City of Oklahoma City Okla. Climate Survey Public Works Department/City of Oklahoma City R. McPherson, M. Wolfinbarger, C. Duvall, A. Reader, Okla. Climate Survey

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Local Decisions Supported by OK-FIRST May 3, 1999

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Guthrie/Logan County Emergency Management John Lewis An ambulance transported an injured victim from Crescent to Guthrie. John prevented the ambulance from driving into a second tornado. Mulhall was warned primarily by two law enforcement units sounding their sirens in town. The units were dispatched to Mulhall from the Sheriff’s office based upon OK-FIRST. The units warned the citizens until each was hit by debris. Only one injury in Mulhall. Mulhall command post was moved because it was in the path of the second tornado. May 3, 1999

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Lincoln County Emergency Management Ben Springfield Tanger Mall was cleared of people before the storm arrived. Rural citizens were informed by updates broadcast on scanner and took shelter. Patients at Stroud Hospital were moved into hallways before debris filled the rooms.

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Independent Evaluation Performed by Professor Tom James, Director of OU’s Institute for Public Affairs

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Independent Evaluation Data Interpretation Skills Improved from Pre-test to Post-Test

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Independent Evaluation Anecdotal Information from Participants

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Independent Evaluation Evaluator’s Summary Finding  “The project changed the behavior of local public safety officials and their approach to decision-making. OK-FIRST [has] had a positive influence on the types of decisions they make, how they make those decisions, and when they are willing to make those decisions. They are able to provide assistance to support a wide range of government and public service functions – from providing information to schedule public works projects to deciding to cancel the little league tournament scheduled for the weekend. Thus, the benefits that can accrue from the application of the skills developed through OK-FIRST can be far ranging and varied.”

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External Recognition Outstanding Contributors to Emergency Management by Oklahoma Emergency Management Association (1998, 1999).

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OK-FIRST! OKlahoma’s First-response Information Resource System using Telecommunications http://okfirst.ocs.ou.edu